ESSEX. RoBERT DEVERE•X, third Earl of (1591-16161. An English general and politician. Ile was the son of Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, and in 1604 regained possession of his father's titles. which had been attainted in 1601. Ile was educated at Eton and Merton College, Oxford. end after the accession of James T. was one of the eompanions of the Prince of Wales, afterwards Charles 1. In 1606 he was married to Prances Howard, daughter of the Duke of Suf folk, hut the marriage was a loveless one, and was annulled in 1613. A second marriage was equally unfortunate. In 1621 be saw some service in the Palatinate, and two years later was vice-admiral in a naval expedition against Cadiz. As early as 1626 he joined the Parliamentary opposition to Charles 1., and remained faithful to the cause of popular government in spite of the many favors heaped upon him by the King. who hoped to win hint over to his side. In 1639 he was lieu tenant•general in the army sent against the Scotch Covenanters. Three years later, after the
open breach between Parliament and the King. he was made commander of the Parliamentary forces. Ile fought the indecisive battle of Edge hill in 1642, captured Leading in the following year, and relieved Gloucester, which was besieged by Charles 1. On his march from Gloucester to London he was intercepted by the Royal Army and fought the first battle of Newbury. In 1644 he invaded Cornwall. but inet with ill success, and, owing, it is said, to his unwillingness to fight against the King in person, the greater part of his army was forced to capitulate at Lostwit hiel. Before this lie had become embroiled with the House of Commons, because of the appoint ment of other generals to independent commands in the Parliamentary Army, and in 1645 lie took advantage of the passing of the Self-denying Ordinance to resign his commission.